Dynamics can be described as the study of the motions of bodies, along with the forces that accompany or cause these motions. We separate this discipline into two separate, but related, branches. Kinematics is strictly involved with the motion, i.e., considerations of space and time without regard to the forces that produce this motion. Kinetics, the complementary branch, deals with the relationship between force and motion. In a sense, kinematics describes the possible motion, or the allowable position, velocity, and accelerations. Kinetics, on the other hand, involves the specific motion undergone by a system when acted on by given forces.

I believe sophomore mechanics is probably the most important course taken by engineers in that much of the later curriculum depends heavily on this course. And for all engineering programs, this is usually the first real engineering course where students can and must be creative and inventive in solving problems. Their old habits of mapping and rote learning of specific problem methodologies will not suffice and they must learn to “bite the bullet” and work in the way he/she will have to work later in the curriculum and even later when getting out of school altogether. No other subject so richly involves mathematics, physics, computers, and down to earth common sense simultaneously in such an interesting and challenging way.